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Finally facing up to mounting debt problems

Inspired by a previous makeover to put his finances in order, Carl Purkins is still grapppling with his debts. Interview by Alison Gibson

June 5 2004, 1:00am, The Times

CARL PURKINS never reads Times Money. He is more likely to turn to escapist pages such as art or music. Given his dire debt problems, the very mention of “personal finance” is enough to have him reaching for a painkiller.

Burdened with £22,000 of personal debt, Carl, 27, has tended to push the unpleasant subject of money to the back of his mind. But our front-page article on May 8 brought about a change of heart.

Carl, a civil servant, was inspired by our story of David Osa-Edoh, a database support manager from Liverpool, who had pulled himself out of the mire after being in a similar, debt-laden position. Carl is now determined to face up to his problems and follow David’s example.